#9: Mars Exploration Rover: Robot Geologist on Mars
This is a full scale model of a Mars Exploration Rover (MER). Two identical rovers, named Spirit and Opportunity, left Earth in June and July 2003 and landed on Mars in January 2004. Each MER was designed to conduct geologic investigations and send pictures and reports back to Earth for up to 90 days. Amazingly, the Rovers are still functioning today. The MER model can be seen just outside the Space Odyssey exhibit hall. The curator of this exhibit is Steve Lee, Curator of Space Sciences.
Department of Space Sciences